From Kolkata-Class Destroyers to Homegrown Power: The Navy’s New Tech Leap

The Ministry of Defence has awarded a Rs 425 crore contract to Bharat Forge to manufacture 12 indigenous marine gas turbine generators, marking a significant milestone for naval self-reliance.

In a significant push toward indigenization, the Ministry of Defence signed a contract on 19 June 2026 to procure 12 sets of 1.25 MW Marine Gas Turbine Generators for the Indian Navy. The agreement, valued at approximately Rs 425 crore, was formalized in New Delhi in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh. This deal represents more than just a procurement order; it is a tactical shift in how India powers its frontline warships.

Powering the Kolkata-Class

These 1.25 MW generators are slated for installation on the Indian Navy’s Kolkata-class guided-missile destroyers. Currently, these vessels rely on lower-capacity power systems; the new units will provide a critical upgrade, ensuring more robust electrical power for shipboard systems. Over the next five years, Bharat Forge will execute the contract, which includes the establishment of a dedicated integration and test facility to ensure these systems meet the rigorous demands of maritime operations.

The 'Buy (Indian)' Mandate

The deal is categorized under the 'Buy (Indian)' provision of the Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020. This is not merely a bureaucratic label; it carries a strict requirement for a minimum indigenous content of 60 per cent. By sourcing these generators domestically, the government is looking to bypass the complexities of global supply chains for strategic naval components. Following the announcement, market observers noted a spike in interest, with the Bharat Forge share price reacting to the firm's expanded role in the high-stakes defence manufacturing sector.

Why it matters

The broader implication here is the systematic creation of a domestic ecosystem for complex naval engineering. For years, the reliance on imported propulsion and power-generation systems has been a vulnerability for the Indian Navy. By moving the design and development of these gas turbines to Indian soil, the MoD is effectively building a knowledge base that extends beyond this single contract. Bharat Forge has already signaled its intent to use this facility as a springboard for future design and development programmes involving larger power plants and propulsion turbines.

This transition from "buying off the shelf" to "building at home" is the crux of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. When a private player like Bharat Forge integrates these systems, it creates a multiplier effect for local ancillary units and high-end engineering talent. As the Indian Navy continues to modernize its fleet, the ability to manufacture its own power-generation hardware ensures that the fleet remains not only lethal but also sustainable, independent of external geopolitical pressures.